Mobile casinos are taking Canada by storm. The thing that makes them so special is they allow players to spin the roulette wheel or roll the dice whenever they want, wherever they are. Thanks to mobile casino apps, you could be thousands of kilometres away from home and still be able to enjoy your favourite casino games from your mobile or tablet device.
Mobile casino gaming has become ubiquitous — there are a vast number of gambling platforms fully optimized for gaming on the go. To access them, you only need a stable internet connection and a compatible device — that’s it!
On this page, we will reveal some of the best mobile casinos you can enjoy via numerous portable devices. Furthermore, we’re going to walk you through the entire process of mobile casino gaming and teach you everything you need to know to get started.
Best real money mobile casino apps in Canada
Top 5 online casino apps for Android and iOS
Pretty much every casino operator in Canada is mobile-friendly, but some are friendlier than others. Our expert team has explored thousands of mobile casinos and apps to find the best platforms for mobile casino gaming. We personally tested every candidate according to our strict criteria to ensure that you will be getting prime-time casino entertainment on your mobile device.
All the brands presented below are mobile casinos of the highest quality, but ultimately, you should pick a mobile casino operator based on your preferences. What type of games do you like playing the most? Are you more into big bonuses or a diverse selection of games? Ask yourself these and similar questions.
To help you narrow down the search, we’ve come up with a breakdown of the most significant characteristics of every operator, along with their respective bonus offerings.
1. Caesars Casino app
Caesars offers a robust casino app. It’s modelled after the web browser version and characterized by a smooth user experience, great responsiveness and similar account management functions.
Caesars Casino Canada offers its app for Android and iOS devices. The games on the app are available in demo and real money modes, and you don’t even have to create an account to try the demo versions. Playing games on the Caesars app will earn you points in the Caesars Rewards loyalty program that you can trade for various perks.
2. Stars Casino app
The Stars Casino app uses the same platform as the PokerStars’ poker product. As a result, it has similar gameplay features. The app is home to dozens of slots and blackjack, roulette and other casino titles. In fact, table games comprise around a quarter of all games. Banking and account management are similar to the desktop version.
You can accomplish most tasks with only a few taps on your Android and iOS device. The app is responsive and easy to navigate but pretty demanding in terms of space. You can download it to any Android device operating on 5.0 or later with at least 150 MB of space. For Apple devices, the operating system should be iOS 11.0 or later, and you need around 250 MB of space at least.
3. BetMGM Casino app
BetMGM’s casino app hosts close to 500 games, including slots, table games and live dealer versions of blackjack and roulette. The app is nearly identical to the casino’s web version and features its main characteristics, including bonuses, banking options and 24/7 live support.
You can download the app on most Android and Apple devices without taking up a large amount of space. You can also access MGM’s M life Rewards loyalty program through the app, so you will earn iRewards points that you can redeem for various perks whenever you play real money games.
4. BetRivers Casino app
BetRivers mobile casino app is loaded with games and easy to use. The design is simple. Thanks to the hamburger-style navigation menu, the focus is on the neatly arranged games that you can browse through. From there, you can find your favourites or head to the banking section, promotions tab or other sections of the casino.
Unfortunately, the app doesn’t feature any live dealer games at the moment. What’s more, in some regions, Apple users won’t find a native app for their devices, so they will need to be content with the mobile version of the casino site.
5. DraftKings Casino app
DraftKings has launched a dedicated casino app for both Android and iOS devices. The apps house dozens of slot titles along with blackjack, roulette and specialty games that you can play in demo and real money modes upon registering. In general, the DraftKings Casino app is a miniature version of the desktop website. The same features are available on the go, such as bonuses and promotions, banking options and more.
In our testing, the app avoided dropouts, freezes or other bugs. You can also share a wallet between the casino app and DraftKings’ sportsbook and daily fantasy sports products. You will need at least 400 MB of free space on your device to download the app.
How to download a mobile casino app
Playing in a mobile casino is a straightforward affair — you don’t need to be a casino expert to do it. Still, some of our readers are beginners who need a little help navigating the online casino industry, which is why we created a mini-guide to show you the ropes.
But before we get down to business, we would like to point to the fact that there are essentially two types of mobile casinos:
- Browser-based mobile casinos
- App-based mobile casinos
Browser-based mobile casinos run on Instant-Play technology and allow players to access the games catalogue via their browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari), without having to download any software. Instant-Play casinos basically mimic their desktop counterparts, offering the same features and games that are available on the desktop version of the casino site.
Mobile casino apps, as the name indicates, require players to download the casino’s native app to play the games. You can get the app on the Google Play Store/App Store or download it directly from the casino’s website. Once the download is completed, you’ll need to install the app on your smartphone or tablet, provided that you’re using a compatible device. Once the app has been downloaded and installed, you can use it to engage in mobile casino gaming.
The key differences between the two types of mobile casinos are seen in the manner in which they’re used for mobile gaming. With browser-based casinos, you don’t need to download anything — you merely need to input the name of the casino brand in your browser and you can get in on the action straight away. With app-based mobile casinos, you have to download a mobile client, specifically designed for a particular type of mobile device or tablet.
The other notable difference is that browser-based casinos support all the features and games from the main, desktop version of the casino, whereas app-based mobile casinos usually offer a fairly limited collection of games and sometimes lack functions that are available on the desktop-based casino site.
Furthermore, Instant-Play casinos are coded using HTML5, which is why they work smoothly across all devices, which is not always the case with app-based mobile casinos. Sometimes the casino app may run better on an Android-powered device, while iOS users could come across some performance issues, like glitches, freezes, and bugs.
What games can I play on my iPhone or Android?
Depending on the type of mobile casino you choose, you’ll have access to a different number of casino games. In Instant-Play casinos, you can play classic slots, video slots, progressives, and table games (blackjack, roulette, craps, keno) in both RNG and live dealer formats. Casino apps typically support all of these game categories but offer fewer games.
In terms of gameplay, there are slight differences between mobile and desktop-based casinos. Although mobile casino games are optimized for mobile screens, some players believe that smaller screens limit their gameplay. However, we can assure you that even though the images may be a little smaller in mobile casinos, the quality of the interface and the sharpness of graphics is as great or even better than in desktop casinos.
Some mobile slots or mobile table games have unique features. For instance, certain roulette games and slots can be played in both landscape and portrait modes. On the other hand, poker fans may find mobile casinos a bit confining, as they can’t use the ‘Multi-Tab’ feature as smoothly as they would if they were playing from a PC or laptop.
To sum up, you can play most, if not all, casino games from your iOS or Android device. The game selection depends on the casino operator and the type of mobile casino you’re playing in.
Are online casino apps better than no download casinos?
When it comes to the quality of the games, there is no difference whatsoever between casino apps and Instant-Play (no download) casinos. Both the mechanics and the performance of the games are the same. In the majority of cases, the games run identically on both platforms, featuring a smooth interface and an intuitive touch aspect.
Instant play casinos have the upper hand over casino apps when it comes to game selection. Browser-based casinos offer a full suite of casino games, featuring thousands of different titles, while casino apps usually have a limited assortment, especially in the slots department.
No download casinos are also more beneficial as far as availability is concerned. You are far more likely to find a browser-based mobile casino than a casino app. Not many casino operators have launched native online casino apps, and with the advent of HTML5, it’s highly unlikely that this is going to change in the foreseeable future.
Even though they come with some system requirements, no download casinos in Canada are accessible across all popular devices and operating systems. That means that even if you’re using an older device, you’re likely going to be able to play the games and navigate the site smoothly. However, to run a casino app, you need to have a modern device powered by the latest versions of iOS and Android operating systems.
Last but not least, there is a legality issue concerning casino apps. Namely, both Google and Apple used to have strict anti-gambling policies. They’ve relaxed their stance recently, but users from some countries are still not allowed to download casino apps. With no download casinos, you won’t have to deal with such problems.
Both casino apps and no download casinos come with their own set of pros and cons. Casino apps have better customization, which means they provide a slightly better user experience. On the other hand, they offer fewer games and are not available in every casino, which is why many casino aficionados opt for the no download, Instant-Play option.
Playing real money games vs. free casino games
In some mobile casinos, it’s possible to play games for free in demo mode. That means you can get the thrill and the excitement that comes with casino gaming without having to deposit a cent. There is a catch though — you can’t make any real money.
Free casino games are great for beginners who want to learn how a particular game works. You can get the hang of the mechanics, betting options, and relevant features. You can also try out different strategies. If they work, you can utilize them when the time for real money action comes.
You can also play free games in demo mode to test the feel and usability of the casino software. This could make or break your decision to stick to a particular casino. Often, we get blinded by flashy bonus offers, not looking much beyond these incredible promos. Then, when we start exploring other aspects of the casino, we realize that maybe it wasn’t such a good idea to register there.
Playing free casino games can help you determine whether the casino you are considering has all the qualities needed to make you stick around for a while.
Are mobile casino sites safe?
Yes, unequivocally. These sites use the most advanced security protocols available, guaranteeing the maximum security of players’ sensitive data at all times. Mobile casinos use top-notch safety measures to safeguard their servers and protect them from hacker attacks.
These include high-end SSL encryption, advanced firewalls, DPOs, and other preventive tools. These mechanisms create an impenetrable barrier that prevents any unauthorized third party to gain access to players’ personal and financial data.
HTML5 casinos are on-trend nowadays. One of the many benefits they bring, other than greater speed and better compatibility, is an increased level of security.
On top of these Fort-Knox-like security measures, every top-notch mobile casino is heavily regulated by respectable licensing jurisdictions. These organizations not only protect players’ rights but also make sure that casinos run legitimate businesses and pay out winnings in a timely manner.
Every licensed mobile casino has to abide by the strict rules imposed by these gambling authorities and will pay massive fines for any attempt to money launder or any kind of fraudulent activity.
The bottom line is, mobile casinos are perfectly safe. Apart from employing cutting-edge security measures, these sites are constantly being supervised by regulatory bodies that make sure that everything runs smoothly.
Bonus offers available to mobile users
Mobile casino players can take advantage of every bonus offer available to desktop users. In other words, every bonus you see in the ‘Promotions’ section while browsing the casino site via a PC or laptop is yours for the taking on the go. That includes welcome bonuses, no deposit bonuses, and recurrent promos.
Some casino operators are particularly generous toward mobile users — they roll out promos specifically designed for those who sign up via a mobile device. So, despite playing on a mobile device, you’ll have access to all those bonuses that are available on the desktop version, with a few extra ones you can trigger only via the app or mobile site.
Closing thoughts
Mobile casinos are the hottest trend in the iGaming industry, and for good reason. They’re safe, convenient, easy-to-use, and extremely fun.
You don’t have to be glued to your PC to play your favourite casino games — you can take your gaming with you anywhere you go. As long as you have a stable internet connection and a compatible device, you can enjoy your favourite casino games from anywhere in the world.
Hopefully, we’ve provided you with the fundamentals of mobile casinos and explained how they work. Now, you can put that knowledge into practice. Choose any of our recommended picks and you’re guaranteed to have a first-class mobile casino gaming experience.